Exercise device including an inelastic sling strap

ABSTRACT

An exercise device having many advantageous features is described, including the ability to easily connect or anchor to a many different objects, structures, or body parts, the ability to use the device with many different workloads, forms of resistance, and exercise, the ability to provide a medium of an inconstant dynamic when controlling a workload or form of resistance, the ability to provide an emphasis for using and developing overall hand grip strength or an emphasis for relieving overall hand grip strain when exercising, and the ability to provide one or more users the ability to perform one or more exercises from many different positions with one or more device embodiments. The device includes and inelastic strap embodiment that has a flexible loop eye and an elongated tag-end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of a Provisional Patent Application, U.S. Application Number 61/520,977, filed Jun. 20, 2011, and the contents are hereby incorporated herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the technical field of personal exercise devices. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of an exercise device having an inelastic strap for use in performing a wide variety of exercises and emphasizes grip strengthening or hand-grip relief while performing exercise.

Conventional exercise equipment handles, whether handles on weights, dumbbells, barbells, exercise machines, or fixed objects, do not emphasize the use of grip strength or allow the user to alleviate hand-grip strain when performing exercises. Also, conventional exercise equipment handles are of a fixed, solid construction and do not provide a medium of an inconstant dynamic between the user and the exercise equipment, workload, or form of resistance. Furthermore, conventional exercise handles do not replicate or simulate the texture and durability of clothing or martial arts uniforms, such as the gi or kimono, which may be desirable for specific training purposes.

Conventional exercise or workout wrist straps that offer the ability to support the user's wrist are only suitable for securing the user's hold directly with the exercise equipment or handle while the user maintains a direct connection with his/her hands on the exercise equipment or handle. These workout wrist straps are relatively small in composition and their embodiment consists of a relatively narrow and short webbing strap, approximately not wider than two inches and not longer than two feet. This limits the user to only being able to use the wrist strap while directly holding on to the exercise equipment or handle with his/her hands, and the wrist strap is only intended for use to support the wrist while exercising.

Conventional inelastic resistance exercise devices that offer a medium of an inconsistent dynamic between the user and anchor point are limited by being composed of one general embodiment that includes one apex or anchor point that is attachable to a fixed location with two ends for supporting a user. These conventional inelastic exercise devices restrict the range of motion of the user since the device's angle of use is limited by having one anchor point. Also, these inelastic exercise devices are only suitable for being attached to fixed objects and require the support of a door, a pole, a tree or some other solid, fixed structure for proper use. This limits the user to only being able to perform suspension training type of exercises where the only form of resistance available is the user's own bodyweight, and the only angle provided to perform these exercises with is limited by a single anchor point.

Furthermore, although portable, these conventional inelastic exercise devices are relatively bulky and cumbersome to transport to different locations, and are inconvenient and time consuming to mount and dismount to and from different solid structures while exercising. They are also limited by restricting their handle position if the embodiment is of a fixed length and the handles are non-adjustable. If their handles are adjustable, they are inconvenient, cumbersome and time consuming to adjust the handle position to the user's desired length.

There is a need to provide a resistance exercise device that can provide a complete workout for any user and that can provide a wide range of exercises, and that may either emphasize the use and development of the user's grip strength or alleviate or relieve the user's hand or grip strain and overall grip discomfort by harnessing and supporting the hand or wrist. In addition, there is a need to provide such a device that can be used with many different types of fixed structures, movable objects, another individual, or around the user's own body parts, as well as being able to allow the user to perform totally self-sufficient or self-reliant stretching and exercises. Also, there is a need to provide such a device that allows a medium of an inconstant dynamic between the user and the anchor point, that allows the simultaneous use of multiple anchor points, that allows the simultaneous use of multiple device embodiments, or that allows the simultaneous use between multiple users. Furthermore, there is a need to provide such a device that the user may easily adapt to and that can be easily portable where the device can be conveniently mounted to different locations or equipment for exercising.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the above-identified problems of known exercise devices by providing an inelastic device that is a sling device used to improve hand strength, wrist strength, forearm strength, and overall grip strength, or used to relieve or alleviate hand strain, wrist strain, or overall grip discomfort while performing various exercises. The device is used by creating an anchor point by securing the sling to a fixed structure, another individual, the user's own self, or by securing the sling to resistance equipment, such as weights, dumbbells, barbells, exercise straps or exercise machines, while holding on to the sling or while harnessing the hands or wrists with the sling to perform a variety of stretches or physical exercises. In addition to strengthening or relieving hand grip, the device emphasizes the use of core muscles, stability muscles and auxiliary muscles in order to control the inconstant dynamic resistance workload via the inelastic, flexible exercise device.

It is one aspect of the present invention to act as an unconventional handle that provides a medium of an inconstant dynamic between the user and the device's anchor point. Therefore, the sling device may be composed of any flexible, strong, durable, comfortable, inelastic fabric, textile, or material. Since the device is constructed from this type of flexible and pliable material, this unconventional medium to control a variety of different forms of resistance or workloads offers a different yet effective training system to users.

It is another aspect of the invention to be used with and anchored to many different forms of weights and forms of resistance, exercise equipment or exercise apparatuses, stationary and fixed structures, other individuals, or totally used independently by securing or anchoring the device with the user's own body parts to perform self-sufficient or self-reliant exercises. These types of exercises are not exclusively limited to a single form, and may include stretching, aerobic, anaerobic, or resistance training, including but not limited to: weightlifting, functional training, partner training, sport-specific training, plyometric training, isometric training, bodyweight training, or any other form of training or exercise.

It is yet another aspect of the invention to allow the user to use the inelastic exercise device as either a single embodiment or multiple embodiments, thus providing the user with multiple anchor points that do not limit the user's range of motion that is relative to a single anchor point. This also allows for performing multiple variations of a single exercise, and allows the user to spread the distance between anchor points to achieve a wide variety of angles for use.

Also, another aspect of the invention is to provide the user with multiple options for holding on to the device or harnessing their hands and wrists with the device, or anchoring their body parts with the device. The user may either hold, harness, or anchor themselves to the device and use the device as a single embodiment, or as multiple embodiments. This provides the ability to exercise by emphasizing the use and development of grip strength with many variations, or provides the ability to exercise while relieving overall hand grip strain and discomfort in many different ways. This aspect also allows the user to position his/her hand grip placement on many areas of the device embodiment or handle, thus allowing the user to change the dynamic and/or workload of the exercise, respectively.

Furthermore, another aspect of the invention is for this device's material to replicate or simulate the texture and durability of clothing or martial arts uniforms, such as the gi or kimono, therefore, this material is not limited to a specific type of textile or type of sewing weave or webbing pattern. Holding on to the sling when exercising simulates the user grabbing, gripping, or clutching another person's or opponent's clothing and thus helps the user exercise more effectively for combative situations or martial arts sports. Also, this aspect includes providing a durable yet comfortable material for exercise use and holding purposes, and allows for the device to be lightweight, non-cumbersome, easily folded, and conveniently transported.

Moreover, another aspect of the invention does not exclusively limit its use for combat-specific exercise or martial arts-specific exercise. The device is designed to improve the physical strength and conditioning of any user or athlete. The dynamic properties of the device's flexible and durable material may be applicable to many exercise purposes. Therefore, the device enables an unconventional method of using and strengthening hand grip or relieving grip strain and discomfort, core muscle use and development, and stability and auxiliary muscle strengthening when exercising with various types of resistance or workloads, or used with various types of exercise equipment and apparatuses, or used with stationary and fixed objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the exercise sling device.

FIG. 2 shows a person using two embodiments of the exercise sling device shown in FIG. 1 by holding on to the device's tag-end to perform a bicep curl exercise with the device anchored to dumbbell weights.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a person using two embodiments of the exercise sling device shown in FIG. 1 to elevate himself while performing a pull-up exercise with the device harnessed around the user's wrists and anchored over a stationary bar.

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of a person using two embodiments of the exercise sling device shown in FIG. 1 to lower himself while performing a pull-up exercise with the device harnessed around the user's wrist and anchored over a stationary bar.

Reference symbols are used in the Figures to indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein, with reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicating like components, aspects or features shown therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention provides an inelastic exercise device that is a sling device used to improve overall grip strength, or used to relieve overall grip discomfort while performing various exercises. The device is used by creating an anchor point by securing the sling to a fixed structure, the user's self, another individual, or an object to perform a wide variety of exercises. FIGS. 2-4 illustrate some examples of exercise use, methods of anchoring the device embodiment, and ways of holding on to the device embodiment of FIG. 1, but these examples are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.

Referring to the invention in more detail, FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the exercise grip sling device. A preferred embodiment is a 2-6 feet long and 4-8 inch wide inelastic material that is 1/16- 1/4 inch thick, or more preferably, the approximate dimensions of 4 feet long, by 6 inches wide, by 1/12 inch thick. It is preferred that the inelastic material of the embodiment is formed of materials that include, but are not limited to, a webbing strap of a natural or synthetic material having a strength sufficient to support the weight of a device user or resistance workload. Preferred webbings include, but are not limited to, webbings made of cotton, nylon, polypropylene or other polymeric fibers. A preferred weight of the inelastic material is 500-1200 grams per square meter. The eye 10 is created by first folding the outside edges of the body onto the middle centerline, and then folding over that material of the folded section flush onto the sling's body. The eye 10 is then sewn securely and strongly enough to the sewn section 14 on the sling's body in a manner that supports and holds the weight and tensile strength of the sling's material. The body's width tapers outward from the sewn section 14 to the tag-end 12. The taper occurs from the narrower width produced by the eye 10 fold, and the width gradually expands from the sewn section 14 to the body's original width dimensions at the tag-end 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an example of use may be using two embodiments of the exercise sling device FIG. 1 with dumbbell weights to perform a bicep curl exercise. To secure the device to the dumbbell weights in this example, each sling device is wrapped around a dumbbell weight handle and then the tag-end 12 is passed through the eye 10. After which, the tag-end 12 is pulled tight to secure the sling device to the dumbbell weight handle, thus forming an anchor to the object. Each hand may individually hold onto a separate FIG. 1 device embodiment, as FIG. 2 illustrates the user clutching each tag-end 12 in a manner which emphasizes the use and development of grip strength.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another example of use may be using two embodiments of the exercise sling device FIG. 1 with a fixed bar structure to perform a pull-up exercise. This example illustrates a front view of the user using the FIG. 1 device embodiment to alleviate or relieve overall grip strain or discomfort by harnessing the eye 10 around the wrist and holding the tag-end 12 with the hand, which in turn takes substantial pressure off of the hand while performing exercise. To secure the device to the fixed structure in this example, after the user places the hand through the eye 10 to harness the wrist, the tag-end 12 of the sling device is wrapped over the fixed structure to form an anchor point. The user then clutches the device tag-end 12 with the hand to secure the device with the fixed structure. FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of this functionality as the user pulls himself upward towards the fixed structure.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a rear view is shown of the user using the two embodiments of the exercise sling device FIG. 1 with a fixed bar structure while performing a pull-up exercise. This example illustrates a rear view of the user using the FIG. 1 device embodiment in the same way as illustrated within FIG. 3 to alleviate or relieve overall grip strain or discomfort by harnessing the eye 10 around the wrist and holding the tag-end 12 with the hand, which in turn takes substantial pressure off of the hands while performing exercise. To secure the device to the fixed structure in this example, after the user places the hand through the eye 10 to harness the wrist, the tag-end 12 of the device is wrapped over the fixed structure to form an anchor point. The user then clutches the device tag-end 12 with the hand to secure the device with the fixed structure. FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of this functionality as the user lowers himself down away from the fixed structure.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

1. An inelastic exercise device comprising of a webbing strap embodiment that has a flexible loop eye and an elongated tag-end that can be adapted for being anchored to a fixed structure, movable object, another individual, or around the user's own body parts, where the creation of the anchor point is determined by either the user's desire to use and develop overall hand grip strength while performing exercise or the user's desire to relieve overall hand grip strain while performing exercise, where the device embodiment provides a medium of an inconstant dynamic and that allows for one or more users to perform one or more exercises from many different positions by using one or more device embodiments to: adjust body part placement on embodiment or handle; support at least a portion of the resistance workload or user from at least one embodiment; and allow for the movement of the user's body while maintaining the distance between each embodiment and anchor point.
 2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said webbing strap is comprised of soft yet durable material of cotton, nylon, polypropylene or other polymeric fibers.
 3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said fixed structure is any solid and immovable object such as a secured pole, tree, stanchion, or anchored exercise equipment.
 4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said movable object is any non-fixed item that may be used as functional resistance to exercise with such as a weight, dumbbell, log, rock, or water jug.
 5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said another individual is the user's workout partner or teammate who physically provides the anchor point for the embodiment.
 6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said body parts is any hand, wrist, arm, foot, ankle, leg, or appendage of the user that the user would use to hold on to or anchor the embodiment to when performing stretching or self-sustaining exercise including resistance exercise.
 7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said emphasize and develop overall hand grip strength is creating the anchor point by either directly connecting the eye to a fixed structure, movable object, another individual, or around the user's own body parts, or by wrapping the embodiment around a fixed structure, movable object, another individual, or around the user's own body parts and placing the tag-end of the embodiment through the flexible loop eye of the embodiment and pulling the tag-end to secure the sling embodiment to the anchor point, and the user holding on to the tag-end or handle to perform exercise.
 8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said relieve overall hand grip strain is creating the anchor point by either passing the user's hand through the flexible loop eye of the embodiment to harness the user's wrist and hand or by wrapping the embodiment around the user's own wrist and placing the tag-end of the embodiment through the flexible loop eye of the embodiment and pulling the tag-end to secure the sling embodiment to harness the user's wrist or hand, and by wrapping the embodiment around a fixed structure, movable object, another individual, or around the user's own body parts, and by the user holding on to the tag-end or handle of the embodiment to secure the sling embodiment to the anchor point, and by the user holding on to the tag-end or handle of the embodiment while the user's wrist or hand is harnessed with the loop eye or embodiment to perform exercise.
 9. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said a medium of an inconstant dynamic is the unsteady effect created by the embodiment's flexible webbing strap that is used to control the user's workload or resistance while the user is performing exercise.
 10. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said exercises is any stretching, aerobic, anaerobic, or resistance training, including but not limited to: weightlifting, functional training, partner training, sport-specific training, plyometric training, isometric training, bodyweight training, or any other form of training or exercise.
 11. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said support is the method of supporting a form of resistance from the exercise device by any part or portion of the user's body.
 12. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said support is the method of placing any part or portion of the user's body on the ground or supportive structure. 